TEAR Synonyms: 158 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'tear' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave , rend , rip , rive , and split . While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges. // tear up the letter

Q: When could 'cleave' be used to replace 'tear'?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow. // a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

Q: When can 'rend' be used instead of 'tear'?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear , rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering. // an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

Q: In what contexts can 'rip' take the place of 'tear'?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint. // ripped the shirt on a nail

Q: When is 'rive' a more appropriate choice than 'tear'?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use. // a political party riven by conflict

Q: When would 'split' be a good substitute for 'tear'?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers. // split logs for firewood

tear 1 of 2

noun

ˈter

Definition of tear

as in slit

a long deep cut repaired a tear in the theater curtain just before the start of the show

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

tear

2 of 2

verb

ˈter

as in to rip

to cause (something) to separate into jagged pieces by violently pulling at it angrily tore the letter to shreds

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to yank

to separate or remove by forceful pulling tore the book from his hand

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

reattach

as in to speed

to proceed or move quickly she tore out of the room as soon as the phone started to ring

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word tear different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of tear are cleave, rend, rip, rive, and split. While all these words mean "to separate forcibly," tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges.

tear up the letter

When could cleave be used to replace tear?

In some situations, the words cleave and tear are roughly equivalent. However, cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow.

a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak

When can rend be used instead of tear?

While in some cases nearly identical to tear, rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering.

an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes

In what contexts can rip take the place of tear?

The meanings of rip and tear largely overlap; however, rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint.

ripped the shirt on a nail

When is rive a more appropriate choice than tear?

The words rive and tear can be used in similar contexts, but rive occurs most often in figurative use.

a political party riven by conflict

When would split be a good substitute for tear?

The words split and tear are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers.

split logs for firewood

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of tear

Noun

There was a moment this week when tears of sadness gave way to elation for one California couple. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 When Warmann asked what accounted for the film’s enduring power, Ali paused, overcome with emotion and wiping away tears. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Verb

All of these keep refresh rates in lockstep with the frame rates your GPU is producing, avoiding screen tearing and other blemishes. — Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 15 Oct. 2026 This destruction derby, which was recently observed by the James Webb Space Telescope, has a messy distribution of mass that only makes sense if dark matter and ordinary matter got torn asunder during the collision. — Quanta Magazine, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tear

Recent Examples of Synonyms for tear

Noun

The ankle-length dress featured a vertical row of side buttons and a slit with an asymmetric, cuffed hem detail.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
Cut a slit into the top of each pastry to vent, then brush the tops with more egg wash.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of slit

Verb

In late September 2022, explosions ripped through the two pipelines near the Danish island of Bornholm, releasing plumes of gas into the surrounding water and sparking a cross-border investigation.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
Over the past two weeks, tech rolled over while energy ripped to new highs.

— Todd Gordon, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of rip

Verb

Ambrossi can’t sit still, and has left his hotel to speed-walk through the city, speaking rapidly and barely glancing at his phone screen.

— Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026
Supporters say Prop 45 will speed up environmental review for essential housing, transportation, water, health, education and other projects, cutting costly delays and passing the savings on to consumers.

— Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of speed

Verb

Video on social media showed distressed shopkeepers begging young men to stop stealing their inventory—and those young men pushing them aside to grab shoes and food from their shelves.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
One 10-year-old girl, crying and trying to hug her father, was allegedly grabbed by the neck by law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of grab

Verb

The Off Campus duo, Emma Watson, Hunter Schafer, Chase Infiniti, and Tyriq Withers, who all scurried off together to continue the already-memorable night elsewhere.

— Kelsey Stewart, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2026
Here are five ways to make your Halloween display friendlier to the creatures that fly, slither and scurry through your yard.

— Katie Koschalk, Scientific American, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of scurry

Verb

Domestic chipmakers are racing to catch up, but their tech still lags the US – and supplies of their cutting-edge models are tight.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2026
Across Formula 1, tech giants are expanding their partnerships with racing teams as AI finds its way into everything from race strategy to fan engagement.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of race

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tea party

tear

tearaway

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Style

“Tear.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tear. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

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Synonyms of tear

noun

verb

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Phrases Containing tear

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Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on tear

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